Hello! The resources here are suitable for students in classrooms, working one-on-one with tutors, or working with the help of a parent at home. They are simple, easy-to-use, printable PDF files. We hope you find something you like!
Hello! The resources here are suitable for students in classrooms, working one-on-one with tutors, or working with the help of a parent at home. They are simple, easy-to-use, printable PDF files. We hope you find something you like!
Here are six pieces of beautiful art depicting Victorian London. Each has been prepared for use as a paper ‘cut and paste’ puzzle. There are a simpler 6-piece puzzle and a more difficult 10-piece puzzle for each work of art.
Cut and Paste puzzles are a proven and effective way to improve younger students’ fine motor skills, as well as their ability to solve visual problems.
Older students may also complete this type of activity, with a dual purpose, integrating hands-on learning into a study of the Industrial Revolution or Sherlock Holmes, or as a ‘change of pace’ from intellectual activities.
The selection of great art in this collection will encourage young people to admire and appreciate beautiful works, developing their artistic taste and greater cultural knowledge.
Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful colours and images of a time and place gone by!
Bonus: Includes a page of questions that can be used to investigate the who-what-when-where-why-how of any one of the paintings.
Research and Reflect!
The student will read six short papers about ‘Wit and Humour’ by Joseph Addison (1672 – 1719), in which the author describes different types of humour and offers his opinions about whether these are effective or appropriate. (Please note, these essays are not themselves humorous!) The student may also read two short samples of humorous writing (included) by P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975). Several topics for essays are suggested. The student may choose to write an essay that simply refers to the texts by Addison, or one in which they use what they have learned in the Addison texts to analyze one of the other pieces of writing. For two suggested topics, a small amount of extra research is required. Detailed instructions are included.
Texts:
Five Short Papers on Wit and Humour
Joseph Addison was an Englishman who is perhaps best known for his play, ‘Cato’, which deals with themes such as individual liberty versus government and has been described as ‘almost certainly literary inspiration for the American Revolution’. The play was well-known to the founding fathers - in fact, George Washington arranged that it be performed for the Continental Army while they were encamped at Valley Forge. Today Addison is also remembered as an accomplished essayist. He wrote for various widely-read magazines of his time, and was known for his ‘breezy, conversational style’, and his ‘cheerful and respectful humour’. The short, critical essays included here are: Lampoons, True and False Humour, False Wit, Punning, Etc. and Wit and Judgement (not original order or titles).
‘Damon and Pythias, A Romance’ and ‘Extricating Young Gussie’ (excerpt)
Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse was one of the most widely-read humorists of the 20th century. ‘Damon and Pythias, A Romance’ is a simple comic poem. The prose excerpt provided here, from ‘Extricating Young Gussie’ (featuring the well-loved characters of ‘Bertie Wooster’ and his manservant ‘Jeeves’), gives a good idea of the style of his more renowned novels.
TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in philosophy or the 17th-18th century.
Compare and contrast!
Here are two true stories of survival and rescue. With detailed guidelines suggesting how to proceed, the student will read the texts, choose an essay topic from several suggested, take notes, organise those notes, and write an essay. This assignment will take at least one week to complete.
Stories:
Tracks In The Bush
An Australian ranch-worker goes missing, and three Europeans, along with six blacks, trek through the bush to rescue him. The tracking abilities of the blacks consistently astonish the narrator. He also describes the intense natural surroundings and the challenges, on a human level, that are faced by all involved.
The Marvellous Ice-Drift of Captain Tyson
This early attempt to reach the North Pole failed. The voyage nonetheless left its mark on history when the captain and crew were forced to abandon ship and live on an ice floe for 196 days in the middle of the Arctic winter. German sailors, an American cook, and a group of Inuit faced deadly conditions together. Under the leadership of Captain George E. Tyson, not one person perished.
Note: To the best of my understanding the use of the word ‘black’ to refer to the indigenous peoples of Australia is preferable to them to the word ‘Aborigine’. Thus, the original term has been left unaltered in the text. If I am mistaken and have caused offense, please let me know!
TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping or rock-climbing.
Summarize!
The student will read a text about iron bridge building. Their essay will be a summary of one aspect of iron bridge building described in the text. The student will read the text, choose a topic (one of eight that are suggested), reread the text and take notes, and prepare a five-paragraph essay on their chosen topic. Detailed instructions are included.
Text:
Iron Bridges And Their Construction
Edward Rowland describes the process of building iron bridges at the end of the 19th century. First he writes about bridge construction in general, referring to important accomplishments in that field from earlier times. He then describes in detail how iron is prepared when it will be used for bridge-building. He ends with a brief description of how an iron bridge is assembled.
TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in 19th century literature or the Steampunk movement.
Defend An Opinion!
Read two accounts of real-life narrow escapes in the wilderness, by historic ‘backwoodsmen’ of Canada. Then follow the guidelines and write an essay on one of several suggested topics. Your task is to defend an opinion, in essay format. Detailed instructions are included. This assignment will take at least one week to complete.
Texts:
The Vagrants of the Barren
A solitary woodsman must face the wilderness alone in midwinter after his shack burns to the ground. He is knowledgeable and experienced, but he is aware that his chances of survival under such circumstances are slim. He must find food and shelter quickly. A sudden storm makes his situation all the more difficult. In the end, a chance encounter with a herd of caribou allows him to survive and to reach safety.
The Grip In Deep Hole
Alone in the woods that he has known and loved since childhood, a woodsman approaches a rushing stream only to feel the bank give way underneath his feet. He plunges into the water – and his foot becomes tangled in an underwater ‘trap’ of slimy roots. Repeated attempts to free himself amount to nothing. A bear arrives, and as it swims past, the woodsman cleverly – and amazingly – finds a way to use the bear’s strength to escape a tragic end.
TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in wilderness survival or wild animal behaviour.
Defend your opinion!
Read a description of a visit to Athens in the late 19th century (included). Follow detailed guidelines to take notes, organise those notes, and write a five paragraph essay which describes why visiting Athens would be interesting - or boring! Defend your opinion by focussing on one of several suggested themes. (Examples: because Athens’ architecture is linked with Greek mythology, or because Athens is located in a beautiful place, or because famous ancient Greeks lived in Athens, or because most of the monuments are in ruins, etc.) This assignment will take at least one week to complete.
Text:
A Glance At The Site And Antiquities of Athens
The author writes a first-hand account of visiting various ancient sites within Athens, with the intent of recommending the place as a fascinating destination for North American tourists. The author describes the importance of the sites historically, as well as their links to Greek mythology, and refers to the size and atmosphere of the places as well. The text dates from 1873 and is a charming example of the type of laid-back, informed travel that was in vogue in that era.
TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in Greek mythology or the ‘Percy Jackson’ series.
This test is based on the information on pages 1-12 of ‘Western Civilization, A Brief History’ by Jackson Spielvogel, 4th Edition, used in Advanced Placement High School History classes. You may use some or all of the contents, according to your own study schedule.
Contents
52 Multiple Choice Questions
7 Bonus Multiple Choice Questions
1 Long Answer Question
Answer Key
This test is based on the information on pages 12-21 of ‘Western Civilization, A Brief History’ by Jackson Spielvogel, 4th Edition, used in Advanced Placement High School History classes. You may use some or all of the contents, according to your own study schedule.
Contents
52 Multiple Choice Questions
9 Bonus Multiple Choice Questions
1 Long Answer Question
Answer Key
This test is based on the information on pages 23-29 of ‘Western Civilization, A Brief History’ by Jackson Spielvogel, 4th Edition, used in Advanced Placement High School History classes. You may use some or all of the contents, according to your own study schedule.
Contents
51 Multiple Choice Questions
5 Bonus Multiple Choice Questions
1 Long Answer Question
Answer Key
Here are six pieces of beautiful art from historical Rome. Each has been prepared for use as a paper ‘cut and paste’ puzzle. There are a simpler 6-piece puzzle and a more difficult 10-piece puzzle for each work of art.
Cut and Paste puzzles are a proven and effective way to improve younger students’ fine motor skills, as well as their ability to solve visual problems.
Older students may also complete this type of activity, with a dual purpose, integrating hands-on learning into a study of ancient Rome, or as a ‘change of pace’ from intellectual activities. A page of bonus questions can be used to investigate the who-what-when-where-why-how of any one of the paintings.
The selection of great art in this collection will encourage young people to admire and appreciate beautiful works, developing their artistic taste and greater cultural knowledge.
Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful colours and images of a time and place gone by!
Bonus: Includes a page of bonus questions that can be used to investigate the who-what-when-where-why-how of any one of the paintings.
Summarise and Describe!
Here are three texts by an Englishman describing his travels in India in the late 19th century. Following detailed guidelines, the student will read the texts, choose an essay topic from several suggested, take notes, organise those notes, and write an essay. This assignment will take at least one week to complete.
Texts:
Part One – India: Places of Interest
The author and narrator, an Englishman travelling in India with his invaluable guide and trusted friend, Bhima Gandharva, describes their visits to a handful of beautiful monuments and places including the Taj Mahal and an indigo-factory. The description includes some local folklore and the reactions of the narrator to the beauty around him and to the people he encounters.
Part Two – India: A Rural Tiger Hunt
The narrator joins a local effort to rid a village of a deadly nuisance: a tiger. He offers the reader a view of an actual tiger hunt, by a group of both foreign and local men, and the peculiarities and details of an event that is now known as a somewhat iconic historical challenge. (Note that hunting tigers in India is now illegal, and tigers are currently protected as an endangered species.)
Part Three – India: Moving Forward
Here the reader is witness to the narrator’s encounter with a Calcutta local, a member of a group of young people who want to eliminate old traditions they feel are cruel and in the way of India’s progress. He speaks about a topic that remains important in India today: how ancient customs and new influences intermingle in that wildly diverse and culturally vibrant country.
TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in Bollywood or history.
‘Everything which was found there was either melted down or sold by order of the Commonwealth. Amongst other things thus treated was the gold filigree crown of Edward the Confessor, which was broken up and sold for its weight of bullion. Such vandalism is almost enough to make one a Jacobite . . .’ (Adela Elizabeth Orpen)
Here are entertaining true stories surrounding a selection of the world’s most famous precious stones. Written in witty, charmingly opinionated style by Mrs. Goddard Orpen (1855-1927), these accounts could be read to pique a student’s curiosity about historic events and people, or, to explore interesting – and memorable – information that may not have made its way into the general history books.
Precious gems and masterfully crafted jewellery have repeatedly found themselves in the hands of wealthy and powerful people, oftentimes well-known kings and queens. Each of the jewels described here has accumulated its own collection of bizarre tales of greed, treachery and power. Guided by a confident and well-informed author, the reader will contemplate how small objects of great monetary value have influenced the characters – and sometimes the course – of history.
Read about as many jewels as you want to (12 different items are discussed). Make notes on an ‘Analysis Sheet’ that features a simple colour image of one of the jewels at the centre of the page; the student may jot down important facts or events about that jewel in the surrounding empty space in a ‘cloud’ of facts. Or, take your own notes in a traditional style on loose leaf. Once you have read about at least three precious stones you may also choose to write an essay – a list of possible topics is included, most of which require you to defend an opinion based on what you have learned and noted previously.
Here are six pieces of beautiful art from historical Egypt. Each has been prepared for use as a paper ‘cut and paste’ puzzle. There are a simpler 6-piece puzzle and a more difficult 10-piece puzzle for each work of art.
Cut and Paste puzzles are a proven and effective way to improve younger students’ fine motor skills, as well as their ability to solve visual problems.
Older students may also complete this type of activity, with a dual purpose, integrating hands-on learning into a study of ancient Egypt, or as a ‘change of pace’ from intellectual activities.
The selection of great art in this collection will encourage young people to admire and appreciate beautiful works, developing their artistic taste and greater cultural knowledge.
Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful colours and images of a time and place gone by!
Bonus: Includes a page of questions that can be used to investigate the who-what-when-where-why-how of any one of the paintings.
Here are six pieces of beautiful art from revolutionary France. Each has been prepared for use as a paper ‘cut and paste’ puzzle. There are a simpler 6-piece puzzle and a more difficult 10-piece puzzle for each work of art.
Cut and Paste puzzles are a proven and effective way to improve younger students’ fine motor skills, as well as their ability to solve visual problems.
Older students may also complete this type of activity, with a dual purpose, integrating hands-on learning into a study of revolutionary France, or as a ‘change of pace’ from intellectual activities.
The selection of great art in this collection will encourage young people to admire and appreciate beautiful works, developing their artistic taste and greater cultural knowledge.
Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful colours and images of a time and place gone by!
Bonus: Includes a page of questions that can be used to investigate the who-what-when-where-why-how of any one of the paintings.
This test is based on the information on pages 30-37 of ‘Western Civilization, A Brief History’ by Jackson Spielvogel, 4th Edition, used in Advanced Placement High School History classes. You may use some or all of the contents, according to your own study schedule.
Contents
50 Multiple Choice Questions
5 Bonus Questions
1 Long Answer Question
Answer Key
Jane Eyre is a young woman whose experiences are coloured by strong personal opinions and a keen sense of observation. She expresses herself with clarity and conviction, while speaking to others and within her narration. Jane is guided by her highest ideals. When faced with challenges and choices, she honestly acknowledges her struggles. She is a strong and interesting heroine, and readers may be surprised by the timeless quality of her simple, yet engrossing story.
This Reading Comprehension course invites you to read Charlotte Bronte’s masterpiece one chapter at a time, then form your own opinions and note your own observations. Through a combination of written assignments and discussions, you will take a close and thoughtful look at the novel and also refine your own understanding of the terms ‘opinion’ and ‘observation’. Not only your pen, but also your mind and heart will be sharpened through this process, as you hone your ability to communicate ideas concisely and clearly!
Contents:
Instructions
Definitions and Guidelines
Reading Comprehension and Discussion Questions (for each chapter)
Bonus Assignments
Note: this resource includes assignments only. The book may be purchased or borrowed separately. (It is also available to read for free in a separate file from Canadian Winter Homeschool Materials).
This book is not too long, and is written in a pleasant, easily-understood style. The pre-Jacques Cartier era in Canada is described clearly in general terms, and a reader who has thoughtfully read the text from cover to cover and completed the assignments will have a good picture of the setting which served as the backdrop to events following 1524.
This book was first published in 1915, and accurately represents the scholarship and attitudes of the time. It contains informative and interesting information, and also some outdated generalizations, which makes it an excellent choice for learning about historical facts, and about how history is ‘told’.
Contents
Six chapters, each followed by:
• 15 basic reading comprehension questions (to reinforce the facts)
• Suggested research topic (to inspire critical thinking and curiosity)
Food for Thought, a collection of excerpts from the main text, each accompanied by a short explanation of relevant themes and ideas about how history is told, etc. Following the explanation there are questions that require the student to think critically about what they just read and about history in general.
A blank map of Canada, which can be used to make a visual representation of what was learned in the book
About This Book
‘By Canadian Streams’ was first published in 1909. Each short chapter describes notable historic events that took place on one of Canada’s most well-known rivers. The author’s affection for waterways shines through his writing. As a result, reading this book makes for a gentle and interesting introduction to many famous names and places in Canada. In addition to Burpee’s own writing, most chapters begin with a short poetic excerpt by a renowned Canadian poet. Although this is a history book, the overall effect is to peak the curiosity and enthusiasm of the reader, and introduce them to some of Canada’s remarkable landscapes and historic moments.
Contents
This book was originally written in 8 chapters, with an introduction. For study purposes, it has been divided into 11 short sections, each no more than 5 pages long. After every section there are 10 reading comprehension questions about the text, which the student may answer as they read or after reading the previous section. These questions are meant to help the student to remember and understand important facts. There are also at least two questions under the heading ‘Examining the Details’. These ask that the student find a specific small segment of the text which has been put in italics (page numbers are also given) and answer pointed questions about that small piece of writing. These questions focus on writing style, word choice, intent and tone. Their purpose is to encourage the student to think critically about how history is written.
After the main text and assignments, there is a blank map of Canada, which should be used by the student to make a visual representation of what they have learned from reading and thinking about ‘By Canadian Streams’. There are also two ‘study sheets’ that can be used to do simple research about a handful of Canadian poets (those whose work is sampled here) and the origins of the names of a few of Canada’s waterways.
‘Hearne’s Incredible Overland Journey’ is the second chapter of Stephen Leacock’s ‘Adventurers of the Far North’, which contains accounts of the historic voyages to the northern regions of what is now Canada. This chapter describes the three amazing overland journeys made by Samuel Hearne on behalf of the Hudson’s Bay Company, in search of a copper mine and a Northwest Passage. Though neither was found, Hearne’s adventures, as recounted in his own journal in detail (and quoted in Leacock’s book), became an iconic account of northern survival. It also offers descriptions of encounters with First Nations that provide unique food for thought, as they reveal the widely varied behaviours of these people toward one another and toward Europeans. The tone of the writing is neither formal nor chatty, but invites the reader to take an interest in a topic for which the author evidently had a genuine passion.
Contents
This book contains chapter two from ‘Adventurers of the Far North’. For study purposes, it has been divided into 12 short sections, each 1-3 pages long. After every section there are:
10 reading comprehension questions about the text, to be answered after reading that section. These are meant to help the student to remember and understand important facts.
at least 2 questions under the heading ‘Thinking About the Details’. These ask that the student find a specific small segment of the text which has been underlined (page numbers are given) and answer pointed questions about that small piece of writing. These questions focus on writing style, word choice, intent and tone. Sometimes the student may be asked to verify facts. The purpose is to encourage the student to think critically about history and historical writing.
After the main text and assignments there is a blank map of Canada, which can be used by the student to make a visual representation of what they have learned from reading and thinking about ‘Hearne’s Incredible Overland Journey’.
About This Book
‘Great Elizabethan Navigators’ is the first chapter of ‘Adventurers of the Far North’, which contains accounts of the historic voyages to the northern regions of what is now Canada. This chapter describes the earliest quests to find a ‘Northwest Passage’ by European explorers such as Frobisher and Davis. Leacock explains the political and business reasons for the men’s journeys, and also gives short but interesting accounts of the voyages themselves, in some cases referring to journals as first-hand sources. These are short histories, but they are thorough. A student will be familiar with major dates, events and personalities after working through each text. The tone of the writing is neither formal nor chatty, but invites the reader to take an interest in a topic for which the author evidently had a genuine passion.
Contents
This book contains chapter one from ‘Adventurers of the Far North’. For study purposes, it has been divided into 6 short sections, each roughly 3 pages long. After every section there are 10 reading comprehension questions, which the student may answer as they read or after reading the previous section. These questions are meant to help the student to remember and understand important facts. There are also at least two questions under the heading ‘Thinking About the Details’. These ask that the student find a specific small segment of the text which has been underlined (page numbers are given) and answer pointed questions about that small piece of writing. These questions focus on writing style, word choice, intent and tone. Sometimes the student may be asked to verify facts. The purpose is to encourage the student to think critically about history and historical writing.
After the main text and assignments there is a blank map of Canada, which can be used by the student to make a visual representation of what they have learned from reading and thinking about ‘Great Elizabethan Navigators’.